ICE agents conducted a series of raids across the city of Los Angeles. They apprehended 44 of those people, arresting teachers, truck drivers, and grocery clerks for supposed immigration infractions. This operation is in keeping with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to deliver on its promise to deport people en masse across the country. The raids have caused major backlash in the city. Local leaders and residents are returning home and filling the airwaves with their outrage, calling what the feds have done punitive and indeed an effort to instill a chilling fear.
Retweeting the Politico story, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said those ICE raids should be “immediately rescinded.” She claimed that such actions were intended to “sow panic” across the city. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons took Mayor Bass to task for how she dealt with the protests. He made clear that the agency is focused on enforcing immigration laws. What became an ugly situation over the weekend. In reply, the White House rushed to announce the National Guard would be deployed to Los Angeles, but California Governor Gavin Newsom resisted this action, saying it was a federal overreach.
ICE Raids Spark Outrage
ICE agents carried out simultaneous search warrants at an undisclosed number of locations including a clothing warehouse in the LA fashion district. The operation met with widespread outrage from residents and advocacy organizations, who soon coordinated marches and rallies to show their opposition to the operation. Rallies started during the Friday rush hour in the Paramount area. Protesters outside Shockoe Bottom’s federal detention center, which they assumed was the place to where many of those arrested were taken.
Protesters waved signs that defiantly stated, “No Human Being is Illegal.” They raised their voices in defiance with bold messages, such as, “Set them free, let them stay!” The demonstrations were a direct response to anger at what many saw as an aggressive federal immigration enforcement campaign that was targeting longstanding immigrant communities.
“We are going to fight for all Angelenos, regardless of when they got here, whether they have papers or not,” – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
Despite the growing crisis and momentum behind the protests, law enforcement responded in kind by escalating their presence. In still video footage obtained by Reuters, dozens of these green uniformed security forces can be seen, all wearing gas masks. They found themselves surrounded by tipped over shopping carts and ball fields of gas from crowd dispersing agents. Through this increased federal response, the protests were only further galvanized, with many protesters calling out ICE’s continued assault on America’s most vulnerable communities.
Federal Response and National Guard Deployment
In anticipation of the worsening unrest, the Trump administration Friday evening announced that it would deploy the National Guard. They moved quickly in response to the mounting public outcry. Even Tom Homan, Donald Trump’s border czar, made the case for federal intervention.
“We’re already mobilising. We’re gonna bring National Guard in tonight and we’re gonna continue doing our job. This is about enforcing the law.” – Tom Homan
A week later, California Governor Gavin Newsom called the deployment of the National Guard “dead wrong.” He said, for one, that the change would exacerbate tensions rather than calm the situation. Naturally, he took to social media to air his grievances. He maintained that the federal government’s actions were an illegal confiscation of state assets.
“That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions … there is currently no unmet need.” – California Governor Gavin Newsom
In a broader context, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller characterized the protests as an “insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States.” Two officials informed Reuters that the government had not invoked the Insurrection Act despite labeling the demonstrations as anti-US.
Local Leaders and Community Reactions
As conflicts escalated between leaders in the region and the Trump administration, Mayor Bass never stopped fighting for her people. She characterized the raids as immensely damaging and called for communities to come together in resistance to what she called cruel policies.
At the same time, Governor Newsom was on twitter denouncing ICE and the mayor’s position. In doing so, he claimed that Mayor Bass had selected chaos instead of law enforcement.
“Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.” – California Governor Gavin Newsom
These protests brought attention to the larger national conversation about the role of immigration enforcement in our communities and who gets to decide. Many protesters expressed solidarity with those affected by ICE actions, asserting that these raids contribute to a pervasive atmosphere of fear within immigrant communities.
“ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are,” – A woman at the protest
These protests have come to represent the national fight over immigration policy and precious political capital versus community safety. Undoubtedly, as Los Angeles continues to face the consequences of these acts, residents will continue to stand on guard, to demand justice, to demand reform.
